Pullman Regional Hospital

da Vinci Robotic-Assisted Surgery Surgeon, Nancy Panko, M.D. Tells All

Robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci at Pullman Regional Hospital has “revolutionized surgery,” says Nancy Panko, M.D., surgeon with Palouse Surgeons. “When I talk to my patients, I tell them I use robotics and list the Nancy Panko, M.D. reasons why it’s my preference, as their surgeon.”

The da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical system was new to Pullman Regional Hospital in 2012 and has been in high demand by surgeons and patients ever since. It’s used for surgery in the areas of general surgery, gynecology and urology.

The Benefits of Robotics

“The very fine movements of the robot in small spaces— like the upper and lower abdomen—is critical to having a successful surgery,” explains Dr. Panko. • The da Vinci’s wristed instrumentation at the end of the laparoscope allows for full range of motion, meaning surgical tools can be more easily maneuvered with minimal movements and less “port pain” or pain at the incision site. • Enhanced magnification provides superior visualization; surgeons can see blood vessels and tissue layers in great detail using the da Vinci system. • While a surgeon sits at a console, they are in complete control of the robotic arms and wristed instruments, which mimic the movements of the surgeon’s hands and fingers.

The robot also eliminates any tremor of the human hand.

To read more visit pullmanregional.org/panko

A Fond Farewell

To my patients at Pullman Family Medicine,

It’s with many mixed emotions that I share with you my decision to leave my position as a family nurse practitioner at Pullman Family Medicine on June 30, 2021.

It’s hard to believe that I have spent 18 years on the Palouse with 15 of them at Pullman Family Medicine. I have loved my job and my colleagues.

I am headed off to explore my next chapter in Bigfork, Montana with the intent of exploring more outdoor adventures.

Thank you for the honor of allowing me to assist you with your primary health care needs. I will sincerely miss caring for you. However, your care doesn’t have to miss a beat. My colleagues, Dr. Laura Baker, Dr. Drue Webb, Dr. Benjamin Adkins, Jennifer Davis, and Teresa Tomaszewski, are accepting new patients and are here for you and all your healthcare needs. They are prepared to make your transition to another provider as seamless as possible.

I wish you optimal health and hopefulness as we continue our journeys.

Sincerely,

Kristine Brenc, ARNP

To schedule an appointment at Pullman Family Medicine, call (509) 332-3548.

2021 Recognition Awards

Pullman Regional Hospital Employee of the Year: Anna Engle, R.N.

Anna has worked at the hospital for 16 years and is a Clinical Coordinator and registered nurse in the Medical/ Surgical unit. Anna serves on numerous committees, and is praised for being a leader and team player.

“Anna has influenced me through her work to just be better. Be a better person, employee, and friend. Her selflessness is commendable. She does what is best for the patient, the organization and the staff. She gives her all, all the time. Anna is the epitome of our hospital’s mission statement, values and vision.” – excerpt from nomination form

Nurse Excellence: Caitlin Carl, R.N.

Caitlin has worked at the hospital for 11 years and is a registered nurse in the Medical/Surgical unit. Caitlin is always quick to devote time and energy to efforts that continually improve patient care and teamwork.

“Caitlin is engaged, informed, professional and has the utmost commitment to creating the best possible environment for our patients and staff. She is truly invested in the holistic care and success of her patients. She epitomizes all that encompasses a truly dedicated and wonderful caring professional.” – excerpt from nomination form

Physician Excellence Award Recipient: Mike Frostad, MD, Palouse Pediatrics.

Dr. Mike, as he’s known by most, is a staple of Palouse Pediatrics— which was founded by his father, Dr. Al Frostad. Excerpts from nomination forms: “respects the expertise of colleagues in other departments, works with different groups of professionals in the hospital to advance care of kids.” “many, many, families put their trust in Dr. Frostad”

“Dr. Frostad has successfully followed his father in leading outstanding care of pediatric patients in our community. I feel this award is long overdue.”

Volunteer of the Year- Betsy Wheeler

When there is a job to be done, Betsy is always willing to jump in. She completes all of her volunteer work with accuracy and a smile. Her positive attitude is contagious to others and she truly makes Pullman Regional Hospital a better place with her presence. We’re so thankful for you, Betsy!

Generosity Inspires Partnership- Peggy McDonnell

Peggy was instrumental in launching our Story Time and Pen Pal programs this year. She jumped in 100% to make our first Story Time video which not only acted as an example for others to create their videos, but encouraged others to participate as well. Peggy was also one of our first volunteers to join the Pen Pal Program where she has built a fun relationship with the little guy that she writes back and forth with. Thank you for all that you do, Peggy!

Generosity Inspires a Healing Environment- Jan Gaskins

Pre-Pandemic, Jan was one of our volunteers that ensured our hospital reading materials were clean and looking their best for our visitors. Now that our volunteer programs have halted, Jan has jumped in and served countless plates of goodies to our staff to keep them smiling and at their best for our patients. Thank you so much, Jan!

Generosity Inspires Patient Comfort- Cheryl Holman

Cheryl is one of the members of our creative team and takes a strong lead on the sewing of rice bags for the BirthPlace. Cheryl does a perfect job sewing, but also does a great job coordinating the needs for our sewers. She picks up supplies at the hospital to distribute and then delivers the finished product to us ready to go. Thank you for your hard work, Cheryl!

College of Medicine receives accreditation for first rural residency program in Pullman

Dr. Stephen Hall

Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine has earned accreditation to start its first family medicine residency program in Pullman.

The WSU Family Medicine Residency Program-Pullman, based at Pullman Regional Hospital, is a three-year residency training program focused in a critical-access hospital in which physician residents will have opportunities to experience the full range of family medicine practice. The program, which will welcome its first residents in summer 2022, will host three residents per year for a total of nine residents when fully implemented.

Critical access hospitals have 25 or fewer acute care beds and serve rural communities with essential health care services. As a critical access hospital, Pullman Regional Hospital provides 24-hour emergency care, inpatient and outpatient surgery, imaging and labs, full-service obstetrical care, physical and occupational therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, in addition to primary, pediatric, orthopedic, sleep medicine, behavioral health and cardiology care through its network of clinics.

“Serving the rural and underserved has been our focus from the beginning, so we are extremely proud to launch our first rural residency in Pullman,” said Dr. John Tomkowiak, founding dean of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. “Launching a residency program in the heart of Cougar country means not only providing care to the people who serve so many across the WSU community, but increasing the likelihood that our own medical students will practice medicine in Pullman and surrounding areas for generations to come.”

Residency, also known as graduate medical education, is the three- to seven-year phase of medical education following graduation from medical school that prepares physicians for independent practice in a medical specialty. Studies have shown that about 43% of new physicians practice in the state where they attended medical school, that number can increase to 70% when they complete both their medical education and their residency in the same state.

“The medical community in Pullman is eager to host physician residents and enrich their education through the leadership of Dr. Stephen Hall,” said Scott Adams, CEO of Pullman Regional Hospital. “We’re confident the experience our physicians and Pullman Regional Hospital can provide will produce well-rounded, community-minded physicians.”

Residents of the WSU Family Medicine Residency Program-Pullman will train at Pullman Regional Hospital, in sub-specialty clinics with area physicians and in a residency primary care clinic to be constructed in the hospital.

“This family medicine residency is one of a very small number of programs nationwide where residents experience the majority of all three years of their training in a critical access hospital, allowing them to learn first-hand what it takes to care for our communities,” said Dr. Jonathan Espenschied, associate dean of graduate medical education and continuing medical education. “We have been eagerly planning for and working toward this moment with Pullman Regional Hospital for several years, and we look forward to bringing these new residents into the rural and underserved areas of eastern Washington where they are needed most.”

Dr. Stephen Hall, a family medicine physician for more than 30 years, including five years overseas with the Air Force and 24 years treating patients in the Palouse region, will serve as the program director leading operations, recruitment and education for the residency program.

“Pullman has a long history of educating future physicians, and this residency program takes that to the next level,” said Hall. “I am proud to train the doctors who will serve in rural areas and the surrounding region for generations to come.”

The program received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) after a rigorous two-year development process following the college’s initial ACGME accreditation as a sponsoring institution in 2018.

For more information about the WSU Family Medicine Residency Program-Pullman or to learn more about the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, visit medicine.wsu.edu or

pullmanregional.org/foundation

We Love Our Volunteers!

Pullman Regional Hospital held the annual volunteer appreciation event as a drive through event to show our gratitude for their services throughout the pandemic.

Volunteer Coordinator, Nikki Nolt, hands out gift bags at the drive through Volunteer Appreciation event, held in April.

June | Health Education Calendar

1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th

Work In-Progress: AA, Virtual Mtg, Tuesdays, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, ZOOM, Emily 856-520-2983

2nd

Board of Commissioners, 1st Wednesday, ZOOM, Hospital Administration

4th

Vitalant Monthly Blood Drive, 1st Friday, 10:00 am -2:00 pm, Pullman Regional Hospital, www.inbcsaves.org

6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

12 Step Men, Virtual Mtg, Sundays, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, ZOOM, Bdentler4175@gmail.com

11th

Coffee Club, A Prescription to Socialize, 2nd Friday, 10:00 - 11:00 am, ZOOM, Noel.Nicolai@ pullmanregional.org; 509-336-7404

13th

Palouse Mental Illness & Advocacy Support Group, 2nd Sunday, Virtual Meeting, Contact Zoe or Lorraine for access, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, ZOOM, Zoe Cooley, 208-835-3071, Lorraine Cline, 509-758-0284

14th, 28th

Caregivers Coffee & Support, Virtual mtg, 2nd & 4th Monday, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, ZOOM, Cherie Villeneuve, cvilleneuve@ruralresources; (509)-332-0365

Breast Feeding Support, every other Monday, 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm, ZOOM, BirthPlace

Pre Op Total Joint Class, Video, 24hrs/7, https://info. pullmanregional.org/joint-replacement-online-class, Maile Kellar, PTA, Orthopedic Care Coordinator

18th

Children’s Health Art Outreach, WSU-CCC/PRH-CLI Partnership, 3rd Friday of Month, https://www. pullmanregional.org/about-us/center-for-learninginnovation, Noel.Nicolai@pullmanregional.org

22nd

Lupus Fibro Support Group, Virtual Mtg , 4th Tuesday, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm, ZOOM, Noel.Nicolai@pullmanregional.org

23rd

Coffee Club: Second Cup, A Prescription to Socialize, 4th Wednesday, 10:00 am, ZOOM, Noel.Nicolai@ pullmanregional.org, 509-336-7404

30th

Jean’s Reads & Recommendations, Last Wednesday, https://www.pullmanregional.org/about-us/centerfor-learning-innovation, Noel Nicolai, PhD. Palouse Parkinson’s Support Group, For Info Only, 208-882-5770, criersgard@yahoo.com Childbirth 101, Not At this time, BirthPlace

Monthly Drop-In Grief Support, Not At this time, Not Meeting Due to COVID, Annie Pillers, 509-332-4414 Weekend Childbirth, Not At this time, BirthPlace

PULLMAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL 835 SE Bishop Blvd. Pullman, WA 99163 509-332-2541

Greg Bloom

Financial Advisor Professional Mall II 1260 S E Bishop Blvd Ste C Pullman, WA 99163 509-332-1564

Ryan Hamilton

Financial Advisor 650 SE Bishop Blvd., Ste 130. 509-339-7090